4th Fazaa International Powerlifting Competition - Dubai

Well, I've been back from my last qualifying competition in Dubai for a week. It was the last qualifier before the GB team for London 2012 was to be selected. I went out there needing to be within the top 10 in the world, and to lift 140kg at a bodyweight of less than 47.10kg. That was the weight lifted by my team mate Anthony Peddle about a year ago, and which currently put him in 1oth place in World rankings.
I had never lifted 140kg in the gym, let alone in competition in front of 3 International referees. But I was fired up, determined, and the best physical shape I have ever been. There were so many lifters, from all round the world, all trying to improve on their rankings, that the 48kg bodyweight class had to be held in 2 groups, or 'flights',. I was in the 'B' flight with about 11 other lifters. I got my 1st lift of 134kg, then went for 137kg and got that. That was a competition PB for me. Then for my last lift I went for 140kg. My bodyweight was 47kg. Spot on! The 140kg went up and it was judged to be a good lift. This was another PB and I was ecstatic. After all the athletes in this flight had lifted I realised I had beaten every other lifter in 'B' flight, and I was 10th in the world. Then 'A' flight lifted. My old team mate was in this and he managed to put up a fantastic 145kg.
So he probably goes to London 2012. I don't.
So mixed emotions really. I achieved what I set out to achieve - and I'm sure I would have done better if I hadn't had the broken wrist last April. I reckon that put me back about 8 months. It just wasn't to be this time round.
However, although I feel I have let down my friends and supporters and Team Essex Ambassadors I am determined to improve. I should be at my best in 4 year's time, and before then, in 2014, there will be the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. So, roll on Rio!

Journey to the Podium - Art Exhibition

I had a great evening on Thursday 2nd February at the Beecroft Gallery in Southend on Sea where the latest works of art, alongside former art work, was exhibited. It was was good to meet up with Stuart Bowditch the sound artist who composed some music last year called 'First Flight', based on sounds he captured at my gym.

And it was really amazing to see, for the first time, the sculpture created by Anthony Lysycia, entitled 'Two arms - one goal'. It was made from limestone which was several hundred million years old! I hadn't seen Anthony for several months - in fact I think I had my wrist in plaster when we first met up for him to take some photos of me training, so it was great to meet him again.

Training is going well. I have the British Bench Press Championship on Saturday 11th February, which is an able-bodied competition, but good practice for the next big one in Dubai in a couple of weeks time.

UK Championships - Cardiff - 21st January 2012

Well, this was my 1st. competition of 2012. And a very important one too. There were almost 50 lifters from many European countries taking part, all with the intention of moving up the world rankings in order to qualify for selection for theLondon 2012 Paralympics.

I had prepared as well as I could and was hoping to improve on my previous best lift in competition, which was 132.5kg. I had 3 lifts in which to achieve my aim. My 1st lift at 130kg was a good opener. Then I went for 134kg and got that too. My biggest rival, a Frenchman, failed at the same weight, so things were looking good. Then I went for 136kg as my final lift. There were a few tense moments waiting for the referees' lights to show if it was a good lift. Something went wrong with the lights - it seemed like eternity. But then the scoreboard lit up, it was a good lift! Finally the Frenchman went for the same weight and he too got a good lift. So we tied for 1st place. However, as he was a bit lighter in bodyweight he took the gold and I had to be satisfied with the silver.

The main thing, though, was I had improved considerably on my previous best. So I am still in with a chance.I have one more big ranking international competition in Dubai in February when I must exceed 140kg to stand any chance of selection.

I'm also competing in the British Bench Press Championship in February. This is an able-bodied competition, but it is good competition practice.

So, back to the gym for some hard work. The next 4 weeks are vitally important. I hope I am selected and will do everything I can not to let all my supporters down.

Team Essex Ambassador

I had a fantastic time at the Essex Sports Awards, and Team Essex Ambassadors Awards, on Wednesday evening, 16th November, at the Colchester United Football Stadium, where I was presented with a TEA award. There was a great atmosphere.and I got to wear a suit, collar and tie, which is most unusual for me. I should do it more often as I had some good comments! It was also good to catch up with some old friends from various sports, and to meet many of the people from Essex County Council who manage the scheme.

I'm looking forward to visiting several schools and sports functions again this coming year - it's always good fun. The award itself will again be such a great help in allowing me to have time off from work to train hard to hopefully achieve selection for London 2012.

Off to Leeds Met. Uni. now to train all weekend at the High Performance Centre, finishing with a competition under strict rules, on Sunday afternoon.

Back from Competition in Dubai

I arrived back from competitions in Holland and Dubai nearly a week ago. Had a great time, with lots of training in Dubai , with my GB Head Coach, Nicola Vaughan-Ellis and EIS Strength and Conditioning coach Arun Singh. For the competition in Holland I was about half a kilo overweight for my usual class so used this as an opener for the more important comp in Dubai. I came 4th overall in the 52 b/w class. Then on to Dubai. Training was very good and the food was brilliant. I ate lots of steak and in the days up to the comp I lost 1kg which put me nicely into my 48kg bodyweight class at 47.55kg. I won Bronze with my second lift of 129kg. The 3rd lift of 131kg also went up nicely but for some reason it was called a 'no lift'. Neither my coaches or I know why. Playing back on a video it looked perfect. Never mind, it wouldn't have altered the overall position anyway. So now it's back to the gym almost every day with just 10kg extra needed to put me in strong contention for Paralympic selection. It can be done!

Two International Competitions in Two Weeks!

I'm in Breda, Holland, for my first IPC ranking competition since I broke my left wrist on Good Friday. I arrived yesterday evening and after some light training today will be competing on Saturday (8th October). I hope to lift 130kg, which is just 2.5kg short of my previous competition best. So I'm almost back to full strength. In training I have done 132.5kg so will hope to do that on 16th/17th October. From then on I will be going flat out to keep improving.

I fly out of Schipol Airport on Sunday to Dubai for the second of the IPC competitions. As I am a 48kg bodyweight lifter I will be competing on the first day of competition which I think is the 16th October.

I'm really looking forward to competing again.

I arrive home on 20th October.

Bath Paralympic Camp

I'm just back from the Sports Village at Bath University for the week long Paralympic Camp. It was a great experience as always. Particularly so for me as I am on the come-back trail after breaking my wrist in April. I had a target set by the GB Head Coach to achieve at the Simulation Paralympic competition on Sunday. I exceeded all expectations and smashed it! I really feel I can improve enough to reach the selection target for inclusion in the GB 2012 team. Lots of hard work ahead still. Lots of training camps at Leeds Met and in Birmingham with the best coaches in the UK!. Bring it on!
I am being interviewed tomorrow by Anglia TV in my local gym, so that should be interesting.
Then in October I have 2 international competitions in Holland and Dubai. Busy, busy!